John Franklin-Myers Bio
John Franklin-Myers (born September 26, 1996) is an American professional football defensive end for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He plays the defensive end position and has established himself as a reliable interior pass rusher since entering the league. Franklin-Myers played college football for the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks and was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Over his career, he has developed into a productive defensive player with multiple seasons of significant sack production.
Early Life and Background
John Franklin-Myers was born on September 26, 1996, in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in Greenville, Texas, where he attended Greenville High School. At Greenville High School, Franklin-Myers played football and developed the skills that would eventually earn him recognition at the collegiate level. His performance as a high school player set the foundation for his transition to college football.
Path to the NFL
Franklin-Myers continued his football career at the collegiate level, playing for the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks from 2014 to 2017. At Stephen F. Austin, he developed into a standout defensive lineman, demonstrating his ability to disrupt opposing offenses. His college career included being named First-team All-Southland Conference in 2016, which highlighted his status as one of the top defensive players in the conference. His strong collegiate performance positioned him well for the NFL Draft.
John Franklin-Myers Career
Los Angeles Rams (2018)
Franklin-Myers was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth round with the 135th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. The Rams had acquired the draft pick used to select him in a trade that sent Alec Ogletree to the New York Giants. He made his professional debut in the Rams season opener against the Oakland Raiders. In Week 4, against the Minnesota Vikings, he recorded his first professional sack. As a rookie, he appeared in 16 regular season games and recorded two sacks, ten total tackles, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. He also recorded a sack in Super Bowl LIII against the New England Patriots, though the fumble he forced was recovered by the Patriots offense. Franklin-Myers was waived during final roster cuts on August 31, 2019.
New York Jets (2019–2023)
On September 1, 2019, Franklin-Myers was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets. He was placed on injured reserve on October 4, 2019. He was designated for return from injured reserve on November 27, 2019, and began practicing with the team again. However, he was not activated by the end of the three-week practice window on December 18, 2019, and remained on injured reserve for the rest of the season. In the 2020 season, he appeared in 15 games and started two. He finished with three sacks, 19 total tackles, two passes defended, and two fumble recoveries. On October 7, 2021, Franklin-Myers signed a four-year contract extension with the Jets for $55 million, with $30.2 million guaranteed. In the 2021 season, he appeared in and started 16 games. He finished with six sacks, 35 total tackles, one interception, one pass defended, and one forced fumble. In the 2022 season, Franklin-Myers started in all 17 games. He finished with five sacks, 38 total tackles, and one pass defended. In the 2023 season, Franklin-Myers started in all 17 games. He finished with 3.5 sacks, 33 total tackles, and three passes defended.
Denver Broncos (2024–Present)
On April 29, 2024, Franklin-Myers was traded to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round draft pick. The move gave the Broncos a proven veteran defensive lineman to strengthen their defensive line rotation. In the 2024 season with the Broncos, he finished with a career-high seven sacks and 40 tackles. This performance demonstrated his continued ability to contribute at a high level in the NFL and established him as a key piece of the Broncos defensive front. His ability to generate pressure from the interior of the defensive line provided valuable versatility for the Broncos defense.
Driving Style and Strengths
Franklin-Myers is known for his versatility along the defensive line. He has demonstrated the ability to play multiple positions up and down the line, making him a valuable asset for defensive coordinators. His strengths include interior pass rush ability, run defense, and consistent pressure generation. He has shown the capacity to stack productive seasons, with multiple campaigns of at least three sacks. His durability has also been a notable attribute, having started all 17 games in multiple seasons with the Jets.
Notable Events and Milestones
Franklin-Myers recorded his first career sack during his rookie season with the Rams in 2018. He also recorded a sack in Super Bowl LIII during his brief time with the team that year. His career-high seven sacks came during his first season with the Broncos in 2024. His four-year, $55 million contract extension with the Jets in 2021 represented a significant milestone and recognition of his value as a starting-caliber defensive lineman in the league.
John Franklin-Myers Career Statistics
Franklin-Myers has accumulated consistent statistics throughout his NFL career, appearing in games with multiple teams and contributing as both a starter and rotational player. His career totals reflect his role as a reliable interior defender.
Career Highlights
Franklin-Myers has recorded 200 career tackles, 34 sacks, seven passes defended, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, and one interception across his professional career. His most productive sack season came in 2024 with the Broncos when he recorded seven sacks. He set a then-career high with six sacks during the 2021 season with the Jets. His interception during the 2021 season with the Jets represented an uncommon but notable achievement for a defensive lineman, demonstrating his ability to make plays on the ball.
Season-by-Season Performance
During his rookie season with the Rams in 2018, Franklin-Myers appeared in 16 games and recorded two sacks. His tenure with the Jets from 2019 to 2023 saw him become a regular starter, with his 2021 season being particularly productive at six sacks. His 2024 season with the Broncos marked his highest sack total at seven, representing a new career high.
John Franklin-Myers Personal Life
Franklin-Myers maintains an active presence on social media, where he connects with fans through his official accounts on X and Instagram. He continues to work hard to improve his game and contribute to his teams throughout his professional career. Details about his family life remain private as he focuses on his football career.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season with the Denver Broncos, Franklin-Myers looked to build on his career-high seven-sack performance from the previous year. The Broncos defense relied on his veteran presence and interior pass-rushing ability to anchor their defensive line. As the season progressed, Franklin-Myers continued to be a consistent contributor for the Broncos, demonstrating his durability and ability to stay healthy throughout the campaign. His experience from previous seasons with the Jets and his familiarity with the AFC Conference provided valuable leadership for a Broncos team seeking to improve its defensive production. The partnership between Franklin-Myers and the Broncos coaching staff emphasized maximizing his strengths as an interior disruptor while maintaining his responsibilities against the run.